Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Sanchez, Maria Cristina
Author's Email Address	masanch2@vt.edu
URN	etd-21098-21163
Title	Optical Analysis of a Linear-Array Thermal Radiation Detector for Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget Applications
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Mechanical Engineering
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Dr. J. Robert Mahan Committee Chair Dr. E. P. Scott Committee Member Dr. J. R. Thomas Committee Member
Keywords	optical cross-talk Linear-array thermal radiation detector Monte-Carlo ray-trace method cavity effect
Date of Defense	1998-03-06
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The Thermal Radiation Group, a laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is currently working to develop a new technology for thermal radiation detectors. The Group is also studying the viability of replacing current Earth Radiation Budget radiometers with this new concept. This next-generation detector consists of a thermopile linear array thermal radiation detector. The principal objective of this research is to develop an optical model for the detector and its cavity. The model based on the Monte-Carlo ray-trace (MCRT) method, permits parametric studies to optimize the design of the detector cavity and the specification of surface optical properties. The model is realized as a FORTRAN program which permits the calculation of quantities related to the cross-talk among pixels of the detector and radiation exchange among surfaces of the cavity. An important capability of the tool is that it provides estimates of the discrete Green's function that permits partial correction for optical cross-talk among pixels of the array.
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